This is a bird of open but shady mature woodlands, such as beech, with some sparse ground cover for nesting.

British Birds - Warblers

There are a number of Passeriformes (perching birds) called 'warblers'. They are not particularly closely related, but share some characteristics, such as being fairly small, vocal and insectivorous. They tend to be more easily heard than seen. Identification can be difficult and may be made on the basis of song alone.

1.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of J Dietrich

Dartford Warbler

Blackcap

Garden Warbler

Marsh Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Sylvia undata

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Resident Breeding Species

This long-tailed warbler has suffered in the past from severe winters.

Its population crashed to a few pairs in the 1960s, since when it has gradually recovered, increasing in both numbers and range.

2.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://photo-natur.de/

Marsh Warbler

Garden Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Willow Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Phylloscopus trochilus

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Breeding Summer Visitor

Very common and widespread.

Its song is a simple repetitive descending whistle, while the contact call is a disyllabic 'hoo-eet'.

It is greenish brown above and off-white to yellowish below.

3.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Gabriel Buissart

Blackcap

Sedge Warbler

Willow Warbler

Dartford Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Breeding Summer Visitor

It is a summer visitor, and winters in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert.

The song is varied, rushed and chattering, with sweeter phrases and some mimicry.

This warbler is mostly insectivorous.

4.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Martien Brand

Cetti's Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Wood Warbler

Blackcap

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Breeding Summer Visitor

In the summer, can be looked for in reedbeds in lowland central and southern England and Wales.

Sings from within the reedbed rather than from a perch, so often heard rather than seen.

5.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Jakub Stanco

Blackcap

Cetti's Warbler

Wood Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Sylvia atricapilla

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Resident Breeding Species & Summer Visitor

The alarm call, 'tacc', sounds like two pebbles striking one another.

Its song is a rich and varied warble, starting with a chattering and finishing with a flourish of flute-like notes.

6.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Steve Garvie

Wood Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Blackcap

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Breeding Summer Visitor

This warbler is strongly migratory and the entire population winters in tropical Africa.

This is a bird of open but shady mature woodlands, such as beech, with some sparse ground cover for nesting.

7.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.marekszczepanek.pl/

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Wood Warbler

Marsh Warbler

Dartford Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Acrocephalus palustris

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Breeding Summer Visitor

It is notable for incorporating striking imitations of a wide variety of other birds into its song.

The UK population of this warbler has fallen and is now of serious conservation concern.

8.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Mark S Jobling

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Wood Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Cettia cetti

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Resident Breeding Species

It is one of the UK's most recent colonists, first breeding here in 1973.

Likes damp areas close to wetlands.

A skulking bird and can prove very difficult to see.

Named after an Italian zoologist.

9.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Stefan Hage

Dartford Warbler

Blackcap

Grasshopper Warbler

Marsh Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Locustella naevia

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Breeding Summer Visitor

It creeps through grass and low foliage.

A skulking species which is very difficult to see.

The song is a monotonous mechanical insect-like reeling, often given at dusk.

It winters from Africa to India.

10.

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Billyboy

Cetti's Warbler

Blackcap

Garden Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers

Binomial: Sylvia borin

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae

Status: Breeding Summer Visitor

A very plain bird with no distinguishing features (a feature in itself!).